Movies & Munchies: Herb Reviews Nope

What to watch when high? This psychedelic sci-fi horror flick might just put your mind into overdrive. So let’s pair it with something delicious.

Couchlocking is one of the stoner’s favorite activities. So what better way to lock yourself in the couch than by accompanying a great movie with some tasty snacks? All the better if said snack is infused with some decadent cannabis-rich butter, AKA cannabutter.

Nope is a 2022 science-fiction horror movie. This flick is written, directed, and produced by Jordan Peele under Monkeypaw Productions. Peele is a world-renowned writer and comedian with lots of experience in the cinematographic world. Let’s see how his most recent work goes out there.

Another thing of particular note is how amazing the cast is for this movie, with recognized actors like Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, and Brandon Perea. This movie captures the story of two rancher siblings that attempt to capture evidence of a UFO.

Although this pic didn’t necessarily gain much recognition from its screenplay, it did receive high praise for its originality, performances, cinematography, and direction.

That being said, let’s dissect some of it.

Nope was shot on 65 mm IMAX film by Hoyte van Hoytema. You may be familiar with their work in Dunkirk, Her, and Let the Right One In, which might give you an idea of what to expect. This movie is a visual marvel in part because of the exciting camera work and the massive set pieces.

Peele excels at referencing plenty of other films, but not in a way that makes him a referential director. You can see lots of inspiration from the works of Jaws, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Akira, some Clint Eastwood westerns, and Encounters of the Third Kind. However, Nope manages to stand alone as a beast made by a genius.

What makes this piece even more interesting is how Peele manages to take all this creative genius and pack it with a meta-critique about the Black experience. Peele dabbles in the exploitative relationship and how White society has taken Black narratives and stories as something to consume.

Jordan Peele takes his third feature film as a writer and director as a medium to express and show personal ideology. However, this film has plenty of horror elements to please terror fans but also touches on science fiction and Western genres. This has been tried and failed by many other productions before.

More importantly than successfully mixing these genres, Peele references how people of color have been set to the side in Hollywood. This is truer still for the Western genre. As a result, you can enjoy a fascinating and colorful film without necessarily diving as deep as Peele wants to take you, allowing you to embark on a voyage as you see fit.

This film is perfect for the stoner’s afternoon and can be tailored to various strains.

Whether you want to browse and entertain yourself or pause here and there to understand the references, you can find comfort in Nope.

Some have even dared compare Jordan Peele to Spielberg. This is no surprise as the movie grasps many elements of his work, but most importantly comes 40 years since the release of ET the Extra-Terrestrial.

What better way to accompany a cliffhanger, deep-dive film like Nope than with a sweet treat like a Lemon Bar. These delicious snacks are tart, and make your tastebuds pop in excitement. They’re even better infused with cannabutter!

You may want to keep these in a very safe place because it is quite easy to fall into temptation and eat a little too much. This recipe makes 15 delicious infused lemon bars.

• 3 cups (360 g) of all-purpose flour, divided:
  • 2 ½ cups for the crust
  • ½ cup for filling
• ⅔ cups (66 g) of powdered sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 12 tbsp (170 g) unsalted cannabutter melted
• 3 tbsp lemon zest from three lemons
• 3 cups (600 g) sugar
• 8 eggs large, room temperature
• 1 cup (240 ml) fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Combine 2 ½ cups of flour with the powdered sugar and salt, then add melted cannabutter and mix until combined. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to make this. If desired, a dash of vanilla can be mixed in with the butter at this point.
3. Sprinkle the dough into the prepared pan and press it down to form a flat layer. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°F, or until a light golden color.
4. While the crust is baking, combine the sugar and the zest of three lemons in a food processor. Pulse until the zest is completely incorporated and the sugar has turned a light yellow color. If you do not have a food processor, simply mince the zest and combine it with the sugar in a bag or bowl.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and the remaining half cup of flour. However, zesty sugar bits will need to be dumped out of the sifter as they may clog things up and not pass through.
6. Pour in the lemon juice, followed by the eggs, and thoroughly combine.
7. Pour the filling into the warm crust, then place in the oven for about 25 minutes, turning halfway through. Allow for an hour of cooling before chilling in the refrigerator for two hours.
8. Using a clean, sharp, damp knife, cut into bars and dust with powdered sugar. After each cut, clean and re-wet the knife.